2016

Although mergers & acquisitions activity in early 2016 declined from 2015’s record levels, nearly half of CEOs expect to conduct a domestic transaction this year, and a third expect to do a cross-border deal.

Campaign spending is increasingly conducted through third parties rather than direct expenditures. That approach should end in favor of one that promotes accountability and provides voters with information on the sources of funding behind campaign communications.

Will greater uncertainty lead to business investment paralysis? In this issue ofStraightTalk, Chief Economist Bart van Ark looks at the business implications of economic uncertainty and weakening of US corporate profits.

Until 2014, profits for US corporations were growing at record levels, despite lackluster growth across mature economies. Since 2014, and moving forward, US corporations are facing headwinds which may slow profit growth.